Justicia brandegeeana a natural for a tropical garden

Updated 11:21 am, Friday, May 30, 2014

Justicia brandegeeana gets the name shrimp plant because its bracts can resemble the crustacean.

Justicia brandegeeana gets the name shrimp plant because its bracts can resemble the crustacean.

Photo: Earl Nickel

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Justicia rizzinii, which hails from South America, features gold and red flowers that look like tubular candy corn.

Justicia rizzinii, which hails from South America, features gold and red flowers that look like tubular candy corn.

Photo: Earl Nickel

Justicia brandegeeana a natural for a tropical garden

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There are all kinds of odd common names given to flowers, but certainly one of the most curious is shrimp plant. Exactly why a flower would be named after a crustacean becomes more evident with a peek at Justicia brandegeeana.

This subtropical shrub, hailing from Mexico, features eye-catching, 4-inch-long blooms. The flowers' most notable feature are their peach-colored, segmented bracts that, yes, do resemble shrimp. In summer, these bracts sprout slender white flowers that resemble tongues. Red markings on the lower lip add an element of interest. Flowers appear in late spring and continue well into early fall.

Given enough sun and regular water, Justicias will bloom profusely. Plants can easily reach 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with the 3-inch soft-green elliptic leaves and downy stems affording a lush, tropical backdrop for the flowering. Although you'll want to feature this striking plant in your garden, Justicias can be used in different settings. Their lush foliage and distinctive flowers make them a natural for a tropical garden. They can be folded in among gingers, bananas and cannas for a contrasting look. They are also showy and long-blooming enough to feature by themselves in a large container or as a focal point in a part-shade location. Because of plants being frost tender, those in zones nine or colder will treat this plant as a fast-growing annual.

Golden shrimp

J. brandegeeana isn't the only shrimp in town. Many gardeners will be more familiar with the "golden shrimp" plant, J. lutea, now more commonly classified as Pachystachys lutea. It gets a bit larger, 4 feet by 3 feet wide, but is more frost tender. It can be moved in for the cold months or grown inside year-round.

Other Justicias

Keep an eye out for two other lovely Justicias from the northern regions of South America. J. carnea features fountains of pink flowers so abundant they obscure the green bracts. Justicia rizzinii (J. floribunda) offers a very different look, with inch-plus flowers bicolored gold and red. The slender flowers look like tubular candy corn.

Cultivation

Grow in part shade or filtered sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Justicias can handle a variety of environments, more sun on the coast, more shade inland. Plants will go deciduous in zone 10 but will probably stay evergreen in zones 11 and higher. Plants grown in pots can be brought inside or sheltered during freezing nights. Plants will probably be treated as annuals in zones nine and colder. Tip-prune young plants to promote bushiness. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer.

Pests and diseases

Spider mites and whiteflies may be a problem. Fungal leaf spotting or rust may afflict plants.

Availability

Look for Justicia species starting in May at your local nursery or garden center.